Communist Party of India
The Communist Party of India (CPI) is the oldest communist party in India. The CPI was founded in modern-day Kanpur on 26 December 1925.
Communist Party of India | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | CPI |
| General Secretary | D. Raja |
| Parliamentary Chairperson | Binoy Viswam |
| Lok Sabha Leader | K. Subbarayan |
| Rajya Sabha Leader | Binoy Viswam |
| Founded | 26 December 1925 |
| Headquarters | Ajoy Bhavan 15, Indrajit Gupta Marg, New Delhi, Delhi, India |
| Newspaper | Newspapers
|
| Student wing | All India Students' Federation |
| Youth wing | All India Youth Federation |
| Women's wing | National Federation of Indian Women |
| Labour wing | |
| Peasant's wing | All India Kisan Sabha |
| Membership | 650,000 (2022) |
| Ideology | Communism Marxism–Leninism |
| Political position | Left-wing |
| International affiliation | IMCWP |
| Colours | Red |
| ECI Status | State Party |
| Alliance | Alliances
|
| Seats in Lok Sabha | 2 / 543 |
| Seats in Rajya Sabha | 2 / 245 |
| Seats in State legislatures | 22 / 4,036 (Total)
|
| Seats in State Legislative Councils | 1 / 75 (Bihar) |
| Number of states and union territories in government | 3 / 31 |
| Election symbol | |
| Party flag | |
| Website | |
| communistpartyofindia | |
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Although the CPI considers its formation date as 1925, but Communist Party of India (Marxist), which got split from CPI in 1964, is of the view that CPI was founded on 17th October 1920. There is a technical dispute between both parties on this issue.
Currently, it has two members in Lok Sabha and two members in Rajya Sabha. In addition, it has 22 MLAs across four states and one MLC in Bihar. It has the current ECI status of a state party in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Manipur.
CPI was heavily involved in resistance to British colonisation, the fight against the caste system and for land reform. Between 1921 and 1933, many Communist leaders were arrested and imprisoned. In 1934, the British colonial administration banned the Communist Party and its affiliated trade union and peasant organisations, making membership a criminal offence. The Communist Party continued its activities clandestinely, despite the repression. Between 1946 and 1951, it structured the peasant revolt in Telangana and organised guerrilla warfare against the feudal lords. CPI was the main opposition party in India during 1950's to 1960's.
CPI was part of the ruling United Front government from 1996 to 1998 and had two ministers under Devegowda and Gujral Ministry. Left Front gave outside support to VP Singh government(1989–90) and UPA government(2004–2009). The Left Front governed West Bengal for 34 years (1977–2011) and Tripura for 25 years (1993–2018).
As of December 2023, the CPI is a part of the state government in Kerala led by LDF. CPI have four Cabinet Ministers and a Deputy Speaker in Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, it is in power with SPA coalition led by DMK. In Telangana, it is in alliance with the INC.
CPI, along with the Left Front, is part of the INDIA alliance formed to defeat the incumbent BJP-led right-wing NDA government in 2024 General elections.